INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Following a successful outdoor track & field season,
Olivia Alexandre, Natalie Hlusi,
Ed Buck, and
Jacob Cann have qualified for the 2024 NCAA West Preliminary Round starting on Wednesday, May 22 in Fayetteville, Ark., hosted by the University of Arkansas.
"We're excited to have this group represent the Dons in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships First and Second Rounds," Head Coach Tim Riley said. "This will be the first time qualifying for Jacob, Ed, Olivia, and Natalie."
The first-round competitions are scheduled for Wednesday, May 22 – Saturday, May 25. The University of Kentucky, in Lexington, Ky., will host the East First Round, and the University of Arkansas, in Fayetteville, Ark., will host the West First Round. The qualifiers from these two regions will compete in the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships held on Wednesday, June 5 – Saturday, June 8, in Eugene, Ore.
Making their first appearances in the NCAA Preliminary Round, Alexandre is slated to compete in the 800 meters, while Hlusi will take part in the 1500 meters. In a loaded field on the men's side, Buck and Cann will also enter postseason play for the first time, competing in the 10000 meters and 1500 meters, respectively.
"Jacob and Ed have had great seasons, starting with being named WCC All-Conference in cross country to now being qualifiers in a loaded West Region," Riley continued. "Olivia would have qualified in the 400-meter hurdles, but we like her chances to advance in the 800 meters. Natalie is coming on strong this time of year and is looking to play the underdog role in Fayetteville."
The meet will begin on Wednesday, May, 22, from John McDonell Field, with the men's 1500 and 10,000 meters starting at 4:30 p.m. PT and 7:10 p.m. PT. The women's 1500 and 800 meters will start on Thursday, May 23, at 4:30 p.m. PT and 6:50 p.m. PT.
For the full NCAA West Preliminary Round,
click here.
For more information on the USF men's and women's track and field programs, be sure to follow @donsxctf on Twitter, @donsxctf on Instagram and @donsxctf on Facebook.
